RA also denied the DL/NW merger right up until the day it happened. "We will remain separate, stand alone companies". He sung this tune daily right up until it was officially announced. He said this publicly, in memos to employees and on Travelnet. Then one day "oh, by the way, we're merging with NW".

I don't put any stock in anything any airline CEO says...ever. Mostly because they are lying, not telling the whole truth, stretching the truth or covering up the truth. Any way you slice it, they are full of it.